הקשר שבין משמעות חיים, מיקוד שליטה ואופטימיות לבין הנטייה לאובדנות בקרב תשושי נפש

Among patients with mental illness, suicidality, and suicidal tendencies are prevalent. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the relationship among the meaning of life, internal locus of control, optimism, and the propensity for suicide, among individuals with mental illness. The study was conducted on 59 male and female patients with mental illness and 65 male and female individuals without mental illness. The findings showed a significant negative correlation among the level of meaning of life, internal locus of control, and optimism, and suicidal tendencies. These results have substantial implications for caregivers who regularly encounter individuals at risk in general, and those with mental illness in particular. They provide a partial explanation for the prevailing phenomenon of suicide in the Western society, while offering a practical approach to address this issue.